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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Archives for Karen Ball » Page 14

Karen Ball

Fun with First Lines in a Novel

By Karen Ballon July 2, 2014
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A writers’ group I’m involved in often plays a game where we share the first line of our work-in-progress. I’m always so intrigued and impressed with what these talented writers share. So let’s do the same here. Whether your work is fiction or nonfiction, go ahead and share your first line! And please, ONLY the first line. It’s a great way to see if it’s effective.

I’ll start:

First line of my current fiction Work=In-Progress:

Well, at least this would prove that my mother was wrong all these years: stepping foot in the kitchen was going kill me!

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Category: Writing Craft

My Secret Writer’s Tool

By Karen Ballon June 18, 2014
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Guest post by Jennifer Sienes Jennifer Sienes, one of Karen’s clients, is a talented fiction writer who according to editors has a gift for bringing out the emotional power of the scene. She was recently named as a finalist in the 2014 Genesis contest with her novel Redemption. You can find out more and read her blog at www.jennifersienes.com   I’ve been reading the Steve Laube Agency …

Read moreMy Secret Writer’s Tool
Category: Career, Guest Post, The Writing LifeTag: Spouses, The Writing Life, Writing tools

The Power of Well Chosen Words

By Karen Ballon June 11, 2014
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While I was at the Write! Vancouver writers’ conference in Vancouver, BC a few weeks ago, a gentleman by the name of Wade Larson gave a talk in which he shared what have been called the most powerful speeches ever given: Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and Winston Churchill’s series of speeches. I thought he would tell us about those speeches …

Read moreThe Power of Well Chosen Words
Category: Craft, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft

What Language Do You Speak?

By Karen Ballon June 4, 2014
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Are you born again? Have you been slain in the Spirit? Have you walked the aisle to receive the baptism of the Saints? Are you washed in the blood, blessed by grace, favored for your labors? Have you testified, been sanctified, and placed a hedge of protection around yourself? Do you covet prayers? Are you blessed with singleness? Do you know folks who are lost, caught up in the world, …

Read moreWhat Language Do You Speak?
Category: Communication, Craft, Creativity, Karen, Language, TheologyTag: Communication, Faith, Language, Theology

Editing Etiquette

By Karen Ballon May 28, 2014
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Writers and editors have a love-hate relationship. Okay, sometimes it can feel like a hate-hate relationship. Writers all know they need to be edited, but getting the manuscript back with those edits can be more painful than passing a kidney stone. And editors know they need to respect the author’s voice and style, but seriously? They want to use an em dash where? Generally speaking, though, we …

Read moreEditing Etiquette
Category: Book Business, Communication, Craft, Editing, Grammar, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Communication, Editing, Writing Craft

Look Up!

By Karen Ballon May 21, 2014
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by Karen Ball A friend shared the video at the end of this blog with me in response to what I wrote here last week. I love the message, not just for me personally, but for anyone who seeks to touch people through their writing. Because really, how effective can we be in what we’re doing as writers if we don’t see and spend time with the people around us? We write about our “core audience” in our …

Read moreLook Up!
Category: Get Published, Karen, The Writing LifeTag: Audience, The Writing Life

Last Words

By Karen Ballon May 14, 2014
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Publishing lost a good man on Sunday. No, more to the point, the world lost a good man. Ron Benrey–author, publisher, one-time agent, master debater, theologian, teacher, and a wonderful husband and father, a man possessed of deep kindness and wisdom–passed from this world to God’s side on Sunday. Just moments before the heart attack that ushered him into eternity, he was doing …

Read moreLast Words
Category: Communication, Craft, Creativity, Karen, Personal, TheologyTag: Communication, Personal

The Writer’s Pod

By Karen Ballon April 30, 2014
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When I was at the Mount Hermon Writers’ Conference a week or so ago, I went to one of my all-time favorite places: The Santa Cruz Wharf. It’s one of the best places to see the sea lions, which are draped all over the pilings of the wharf, as well as swimming and playing in the water around it. A few years ago, I saw something I’d never seen before. A group of sea lions all floating together. Come …

Read moreThe Writer’s Pod
Category: Career, Communication, Conferences, Creativity, Karen, Platform, The Writing LifeTag: Community, Conferences, The Writing Life

Writing That is Powerful, Not Preachy!

By Karen Ballon April 9, 2014
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  Thanks to Shirley Buxton for asking in the comments of my blog on writing that sings, “Can someone help me understand how to show spirituality without being preachy?” Why, yes, Shirley, I can. At least, I can tell you my perspective. It’s the difference between telling people how they ought to live, and showing them. It’s not spouting Scripture when someone is hurt or struggling, but coming …

Read moreWriting That is Powerful, Not Preachy!
Category: Craft, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, show don't tell, Writing Craft

The Core of Writing Well

By Karen Ballon April 2, 2014
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A couple of weeks ago I mentioned I’m trying to learn how to make latte art. I’ve got the moves down…kinda. Hey, I’m a racquetball player—was, in fact, one of the top players in college—so I can do wrist action like a pro. But guess what I discovered? Having the moves doesn’t do you any good without the perfect foam. That’s the core of the beauty and creativity in latte art. But foaming milk, my …

Read moreThe Core of Writing Well
Category: Art, Craft, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Writing Craft
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